Method of and apparatus for feeding



July 29, 1941. K. L. CURTIS Re. 21,866 METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FORFEEDING TAPE AND PROJECTING IMAGES THEREFROM Original Filed March 28,1930 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR 42 45 /M ATTORNEY-7 wbazul July 29, 1941.K, CURTIS Re. 21,866

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR FEEDING TAPE AND PROJECTING IMAGES THEREFROMOriginal Filed March 28, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Z 48 1 IuNIYENTOB LATTORNEY 9 K. L. CURTIS July 29-, 1941.

' METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR FEEDING TAPE AND PROJECTING IMAGESTHEREFROM Original Filed March 28, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 mvzm'oh By Mdoork l ATTORNEY Reissued July 29, 1941 METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FORFEEDING TAPE AND PROJECTING IMAGES THERE- FROM Kenneth L. Curtis,deceased, late of New York, N. Y., by Trans-Lux Corporation, assignee,New

York, N. Y.

Original No. 2,028,146, dated January 21, 1936, Serial No. 439,570,March 28, 1930. Renewed June 20, 1934. Application for reissue February24, 1941, Serial No. 380,334

Claims.

This invention relates to method of and apparatus for controllingmovement of a tape or the like.

The embodiment of the invention shown and described herein comprises theusual form of stock ticker from which tape with quotations printed bythe ticker is fed out with a jerky or pulsating motion which is changedinto a relatively steady movement as the tape is being magnified by theprojector in order to avoid magnifying at the same time the jerks giventhe tape by the ticker and thus rendering the quotations illegible.

The tape should glide across the projector shortly after its release bythe ticker and this gliding is preferably accomplished by a separatetake-up motor which moves the tape at about the same speed it isreleased from the ticker. Since the ticker is constantly starting andstopping, the take-up motor should also be ready tostart and stop insuch manner that the total rate of feed past the projection axis iscommensurate with the total rate of feed from the ticker. It is greatlydesirable that the rate of feed past the projection axis be continuousfor as long a period as is possible and to this end, therefore, the rateof feed past the projection axis during such periods should varyaccording to the rate of intermittent feed of the ticker during thecorresponding period. Likewise, it is desirable that the motor becontinuously energized during this period of continuous feed, so that,with a ticker which is adapted to operate at a high rate of speed, thefluctuations between a fast market and a slow market may be handledthroughout the wide range of speed, and yet the device be sufiicientlysensitive not to permit an undesirable time interval between ticker feedand projection feed in a fast market.

That is, if the ticker slows up to a certain degree, the motor feedingtape past the projector will remain energized and continuously runningat a speed variable in accordance with the ticker feed, whereas if theticker stops or nearly stops the feed motor will be deenergized, theobject being to keepthe motor energized and in continuous operation foras long sustained periods as possible and merely'varying its speed toaccommodate the varying ticker feed. When the ticker stops, the motormust stop to prevent breaking the tape or damaging the ticker, andtherefore the contact must also serve to immediately break the motorcircuit in this event. It will be understood that the invention mayadvantageously be used with tickers which operate at constant speed aswell as with those wherein the speed of operation is variable.

To fulfill these desirable conditions a method of operation providing asensitive control, flexible in operation, is required. In addition theapparatus for effecting such control should operate without injury tothe tape or, other parts of the apparatus and it should also be simpleand not apt to get out of order, but easily repaired, if repair isrequired. The principal objects of this invention are to provide amethod whereby these desired conditions will be fulfilled and a deviceof the character mentioned which shall possess these desiredcharacteristics.

Further objects of the invention will more fully appear from thefollowing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawingsillustrating by way of example the preferred embodiments of theapparatus used in carrying out the method.

In the accompanying drawings, showing by way of example the presentpreferred embodiments of the invention:

Fig. 1 is an elevation showing certain parts diagrammatically forclearness;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view of certain parts of the apparatus otherthan the ticker;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the suction head;

Fig. 4 is a cross-section on the line 44 of Fi 3;

Fig. 5 is an end elevation, partly in section, and showing tapepositions with respect to the suction head;

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view showing a modification of the apparatusshown in Fig. 2;

Fig. '7 is a front elevation of a modified suction head;

Fig. 8 is a section taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7; and

Fig. 9 is a section taken on the line 9-9 of Fi 8.

Referring to the drawings and particularly Fig. 1, the ticker mechanismis designated as I and the projecting device as 2. The ticker recordsprinted characters-stock quotations-on tape and ejects the printed tapewith a pulsating movement. The ticker here shown is the well kncwnWestern Union stock quotation ticker. The frame of the ticker isdesignated as 3. It supports a roll of tape 4 which may be made oftransparent or translucent material for transparent projection or opaquematerial for opaque projection. The tape from the roll passes upwardlybetween feed rolls 5 and 6 from whence it passes over the platenmechanism 1 and beneath the type wheel 8 which is in contact with theink roll 9. printing characters such as numerals and figuresrespectively and is adapted to come into cooperative position with theplaten 1 to print the two sets of characters on respectively oppositeedges of the tape 4. From this position the tape passes over a support land is formed into a loop II.

The loop ll terminates adjacent the edge of the table [2 of theprojector 2, across which the tape passes and then passes downwardly toa take-up device, which is operated to feed the tape 4 across the tablel2. The forward end of table [2 also provides a support for the tape inits path of movement from the ticker to the projection axis; and thissupport is so positioned as to provide a space in the path of travel ofthe tape for the formation of the loop. The take-up device may be of anysuitable form and in the present embodiment comprises an electric motorl4 suitably geared to and driving a wheel l5, between which and theresiliently pressed idle wheel [6 the tape is engaged to be moved in thedirection as indicated. The tape is passed around the idle roll ll toincrease its peripheral engagement with the wheel l5. This take-up motoris such that if not retarded under control of the ticker feed, it willfeed the tape from the loop faster than it is fed to the loop by theticker when the ticker is running at maximum speed. The projector lampis designated as I8 and the light therefrom is passed through a suitablelens set l9 and thence through the projector table I2 and the lens setagainst a reflecting mirror 2|, which is adapted to reflect the lightthrough a translucent projecting surface, such as 22, arranged in avertical plane.

A suitable means, such as the J spring 23, engages the tape adjacent theend of the projector table l2 contiguous to the loop II and is adaptedto create sufiicient friction to entirely absorb any pulsations producedby the ticker that may not have been absorbed by the loop and suctionmeans hereinafter described, so as to eliminate such pulsations at theprojection axis.

A control means for varying the operation of the motor [4, and forstarting and stopping the same will now be described, with particularreference to Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5. A fixed suction head designated ingeneral as 24 is suitably secured between the ticker I and the projector2 adjacent the projector table 12, and in the path of movement of thetape loop I I, This suction head carries integral therewith an orificeor mouth 25, elongated in the direction of movement of the tape, andwhose adjacent surface is so formed and positioned as to permit the tapeof the loop II to lie over the mouth and close it to a more or lessdegree depending upon the extent of the loop. The mouth 25 communicateswith'a valve chamber 26 (Fig, 4) through the passage 21. A movable valvemember, in the present embodiment a piston 28, preferably of lightweight and easily actuated by a small suction head, is in cooperativeassociation with the chamber 21, such as by being slidably positioned inthe chamber 21. A passage 29 also communicates with the chamber 26through the passage 21, and the passage 29 communicates with one end ofa tube 30 (Fig. 2), the other end of which communicates with a suctiondevice 3| which is operated by a motor 32. Accordingly when the mouth 25is restricted by the tape H to a more or less degree, suction through 29will create a condition of suction in the chamber 26 directly inaccordance The type wheel 3 carries two rows of with the saidrestriction, which will raise the piston 28 a corresponding extent.

The piston 28 is provided with a depending rod 33 whose lower end isadjustably secured to an insulating strip 34 integral with and formingan extension of a spring steel strip 35, and together therewithproviding a resilient arm whose other end is attached to the body of thesuction head 24. A second resilient arm 36 of spring steel is similarlysupported, and likewise additional similar resilient arms 31 and 38,each and all of said arms being supported from the body of suction head24 and insulated therefrom and from each other. The respective pairs ofarms 3536, 3631 and 3138 are provided with aligned pairs of contacts3940, 4I42 and 4344, which in their normal position as shown in Fig. 4,are separated. In the present illustration the respective contact arms35, 3G, 31 and 38 are electrically attached to binding posts or screws45, 45, 41 and 48, carried by brass strips to which are attached alsothe contact arms, the brass strips being clamped together in insulatedrelation and supported by means of the insulating blocks attached to thehead 24 by means of the machine screw 49.

Referring now to Fig. 2, it will be seen that the power circuits for thelight l8, feed motor l4, and suction motor 32 are adapted to beconnected with the power line 40, by means of suitable switches 4i and42. One branch of the circuit to the motor I4 is designated as :43 andthe other as 44, while the circuits to the motor 32 are designated as 45and 46. Variable resistance is provided in the motor circuit and in thepresent embodiment takes the form of individual resistances 41 and 48,which are shown as inserted in the line 44. The line 44 is connected tocontact arm 35, contact 36 is connected to 44a, contact 31 to MD, andcontact 38 to 440; one of the pairs of contacts and associated arms andone of the branch lines 44a, 4419 or 440, always being in the branchline 44 when the corresponding pair of contacts is closed and the motoris in operation. When 44a is in circuit both resistances 41 and 48 arein circuit, when 441) is in circuit the resistance 41 only is incircuit, and when 440 is in circuit the resistances are both shuntedout. A condenser 49 preferably is placed across the first pair ofcontacts to prevent arcing.

It will therefore be seen that as loop of tape varies in extent, asindicated by the nested curves of loop II in Fig. 5, due to the variableticker ejection, the mouth 25 will be proportionately restricted, thesuction proportionately increased in the valve chamber, the valve memberproportionately raised or lowered, and the pairs of contactsproportionately closed or opened; to thereby proportionately vary thespeed of the motor by varying the resistance. The loop ll Fig. 5) asdesignated in its full line position, is free of any restrictinginfluence on the control. In the dotted position Ila it has justcommenced to restrict the mouth 25 and has caused the contacts 3940 toclose and hence has energized the motor which will therefore operate atlow speed in view of the two resistances 41 and 48. In position llb thefirst resistance 48 has beencut out and the motor I 4 therefore will bespeeded up; while at 41 both resistances have been cut out and the motortherefore will run at highest speed.

Operation When it is desired to operate the device the ticker l isstarted and the switches 4| and 42 are closed. The motor 32 operates thepump 3| to create suction in. the line 30 whichcommunicates through thepassage 21 and through the mouth 25. to'atmosphere. The tape at thistime is approaching the mouth 25 due to the ticker ejection, but has notyet started to restrict the mouth; and accordingly the contacts 39 and40 are open, thereby opening the line 44 in circuit with the motor l4.As the tape is ejectedthe loop extends down to the position indicated asIla (Fig. and there commences to restrict the mouth 25, the tape passingon over the suction head 24 to the projecting table |2 against which itis resiliently held by the J spring 23. From the table |2 the tapepasses on to the take-up rolls l5, l6, H, from where it may be taken upon a wind up reel (not shown). With the tape loop H in the positionshown at Ha, the mouth 25 is sufliciently restricted to create increasedsuction in the valve chamber 25 to thereby slightly raise the valvemember or piston 28. This in turn bends the contact arm 35 upwardly,thereby causing the contacts 39, 40 to come into engagement and tocomplete the electrical circuit from motor [4. Since this circuitincludes the resistances 41, 48, the motor l4 will commence running atits low speed. As the ticker ejects tape at a faster rate, so as tocause the loop to form such as llb, the mouth is further restricted andthe suction increased to cause the valve member 28 to be lifted stillfurther, thereby bending upwardly the contact arms 35 and 3B and causingthe contact points 4| and 42 also to come into engagement, therebyshunting the circuit over 44b and cutting out the first resistances 48and therefore resulting in speeding up the motor. On further increasingthe rate of ticker feed, the tape loop forms as No, to entirely orsubstantially entirely close the mouth 25, thereby again increasing thesucton to further raise the piston 28, with the result that the contactarms 35, 36 and 31 are bent upwardly to cause the contacts 43 and 44 tocome into engagement and shunt the motor circuit over the line 440 andthereby cut out both of the resistances 41 and 48 and hence cause themotor to run at its fastest speed. Conversely, when the rate of tickerejection is slowed up, the motor will be slowed up, it being understoodthat the chief object is to keep the feed motor l4 energized andoperating through as long periods as possible, and to vary the take upfeed throughout such periods, in accordance with the varying feed of thetape from the ticker. This is very desirable, particularly in view ofthe high speed tickers now utilized. When the loop opens orsubstantially opens the mouth 25, the suction head is vented to theatmosphere and accordingly the piston 28 moves to its lower position,entirely opening the circuit to motor l4 and causing the motor to ceaseoperation.

Modification In Figs. 6, '7, 8 and 9 there is illustrated a modifiedform of the invention in which a modified form of suction head andvalve-operating mechanism is shown. The diagrammatic showing in Fig. 6includes other parts of the apparatus similar in all respects to thoseshown in Fig. 2, and for purposes of simplifying the understanding ofthe modifications the corresponding parts of Figs. 2 and 6 bear the samenumerals, but in Fig. 6 the suffix prime has been added.

In Fig. 6 the modified suction head is designated as 50, and in place ofthe single mouth heretofore described, the two mouths 5| and 52 areprovided, being slightly separated in the longitudinal direction ofmovement of the ticker tape. Referring more particularly to Figs. '1, 8and 9, the suction head comprises a chamber 53 which communicatesthrough ports 54, 55, with two simple bellows valves 55, 51, the bellows56 communicating with the mouth 5| and the bellows 51 communicating withthe downwardly spaced mouth 52. The bellows 56 is provided withcontacts39, 45' which are normally open but are adapted to be closed when thebellows is collapsed, and the bellows 5? is provided with contacts 4|,42' which are normally open but are adapted to be closed when thebellows is collapsed. The springs 58 and 59 serve to normally hold thebellows open. In the present embodiment of the modification only twosets of contacts are used, and accordingly only two steps of speed are.provided for the motor M, as will be clearly seen from Fig. 6.

The operation of the device is quite similar to that heretoforedescribed, with the exception that the loop ll first acts to restrict orentirely close the mouth 5| which increases the suction in the bellows56, causing it to collapse and close the contacts 39, 40' to therebyclose the motor circuit over the line 44a through the two resistances41', 48, to thereby operate the motor at lowest speed. When the loopextends further downwardly the mouth 52 is restricted or closed tothereby close the contacts 4|, 42 in a similar manner and hence to shuntthe motor circuit over the line 44b to cut out the resistances 48 andhence speed up the motor. Conversely, the motor is slowed down as thetape uncovers the mouth 52 and is entirely stopped when the tape movesaway from the mouth 5|.

Having thus described the invention with particularity with reference toits preferred forms, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art,after understanding the invention, that various other changes andmodifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention, and it is aimed in the appended claims to coverall such changes and modifications as are within the scope of theinvention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is:

1. The method of feeding a character-bearing tape, which comprisescreating a condition of suction adjacent a loop of said tape, causingsaid suction to be altered by said loop, and operating an electric motorat a non-uniform rate of speed in accordance with alteration in saidsuction condition, whereby while the motor is continuously feeding saidtape the speed of feed is varied by and in accordance with the movementof the tape.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination of a suctionhead having a mouth over which the tape passes, said mouth communicatingwith a valve chamber, a valve in said valve chamber and operated bysuction in said chamber, means for creating suction in said chamber, anda plurality of electrical contacts with means whereby respectivecontacts may be progressively closed by the operation of said valve.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination of a suctionhead having a mouth over which the tape passes, said mouth communicatingwith an integral valve chamber, a valve in said valve chamber andoperated by suction in said chamber, means for creating suction in saidchamber, a plurality of electrical contacts, and means operated by saidvalve for progressively closing said contacts wherebyrespective contactsmay be progressively closed by the operation of said valve.

4. In a device of the character described, the combination of a suctionhead having a mouth over which the tape passes, said mouth communicatingwith a valve chamber, a valve insaid valve chamber and operated bysuction insaid chamber, means for creating suction in said chamber, aflexible contact arm operatively connected to said valve to be deflectedby the operation thereof and carrying a first contact, and a pluralityof cooperating flexible contact arms carrying cooperating contacts, saidcontacts and arms being so arranged that upon operation of said valverespective pairs of contacts will be closed progersslvely. a a 5. In aprojection system, the combination with a projection field toward whicha character.- bearing tape is fed at a non-uniform rate, ofta motor forpulling said tape through said field, and means controlled by change inconfiguration of a tape loop at the entrance to said projection fieldfor operating said motor at difierent rates of speed, said meanscomprising a suction port adapted to be more or less covered by anadjacent section of the tape loop.

TRANS-LUX CORPORATION,

15 Assignee of Kenneth L. Curtis, Deceased.

By ARTHUR C. PAYNE,

Vibe-President.

